Update: Weigh in on Albany’s Jefferson Street totem pole tussle

From today’s paper, check out the dilemma faced by one Jefferson Street couple in the city’s Hudson/Park neighborhood: Either take down their decorative totem pole or face a potential fine for having it encroach about 16 inches on the city’s right-of-way.

The owners of the 10-foot piece of art — which they acquired in an unusual trade — say the city should cut them some slack, noting the conversation piece doesn’t stick out nearly as far any of the nearby front stoops or planter boxes.

“Even if it’s just for the summer,” says co-owner Lorilee Rooney. “We did it because we wanted to bring the vibration up in the neighborhood. … Everybody’s just pitching in. It’s contagious.”

At least one person, however, has complained to city code enforcement, prompting the city to issue a stop-work order and demand it be taken down.

One interesting thread to this story is that Hudson/Park was beset by a rash of graffiti vandalism last year, bedeviling residents — Rooney and her attorney boyfriend Tom Gabriels among them — who have tried to improve the look of the neighborhood.

Now they worry their efforts to brighten the neighborhood on their own are being stifled by the city.

What do you think? Should the city cut them some slack or are the rules the rules?